Living in Palestine, TX

Palestine is the county seat of Anderson County, in the Piney Woods about 47 miles southwest of Tyler. It's known for its historic downtown, its spring dogwood blooms and the steam trains of the Texas State Railroad, and it sits roughly in the middle of Dallas, Houston and Shreveport. NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility is also based here.

Getting around

US Highways 79, 84 and 287 and State Highways 19 and 155 all meet in Palestine, with Loop 256 circling downtown. Tyler is about 47 miles northeast, Dallas is about 110 miles northwest, and Houston is about 150 miles south. Palestine Municipal Airport sits on the northwest edge of town.

Things to do

The Texas State Railroad, a state park that runs steam and diesel excursion trains through the Piney Woods between Palestine and Rusk, including holiday Polar Express rides
The Dogwood Trails Celebration, held for more than 80 years each spring around Davey Dogwood Park; Palestine was named the official Dogwood Trails Capital of Texas in 2023
The Hot Pepper Festival each October, with a pepper eating contest, arts and crafts and live music
The Museum for East Texas Culture, which hosts the Old Time Music & Dulcimer Festival each March
Lake Palestine, a large reservoir northeast of town for fishing and boating

Schools

Palestine ISD serves most of the city, Westwood ISD serves the western edge, and a small area falls in Elkhart ISD. Trinity Valley Community College and UT Tyler both have Palestine campuses. Because district lines run through town, I always confirm the school assignment for a specific address.

Homes and neighborhoods

Palestine has some of the most interesting older homes in East Texas, with historic houses near downtown and 23 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. You'll also find established neighborhoods, newer homes on the edges of town, and wooded acreage and small farms throughout Anderson County. Older homes and rural properties each have their own checklist, and I'll walk through it with you.

A little history

A trading post stood here by about 1843, and the Texas Legislature incorporated Palestine in 1846 as the seat of the new Anderson County. It was named after Palestine, Illinois, the hometown of early settlers.